For BUWOG, the move to the new Customer and Administrative Centre in Vienna's city centre marked the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s history. Reasons of space as well as efficiency necessitated the move to the new office building, which opened in summer of 2020 in a prominent location in Vienna's city centre. The move raised a question as to the sensible use of the old, historic location in Vienna Hietzing. 

The stages of use of the building at Hietzinger Kai 131 are as diverse as they are many. Originally, a car dealership was planned for the site, but it never materialised. Instead, the Technical Museum temporarily occupied the building before BUWOG ultimately moved in and had its headquarters here between 1984 and 2020.

Reuse creates added value for society 

Following the building’s refurbishment and redesign, including the greening of the façade, the site is now being efficiently repurposed: “Medikai”, a modern health centre extending over three upper floors, will open at Hietzinger Kai 131 at the end of 2022. The City of Vienna will also use part of the building. Until mid-2024, the Hietzing Adult Education Centre (VHS Hietzing) will take over three mezzanine floors as a substitute location, which will also be occupied by other tenants of the “Medikai” health centre. To date, the Hietzing Diagnostic Centre and labors.at have been acquired for “Medikai”. "It’s nice to see that the efficient building reuse demonstrated here also creates added value for society. With a health centre and an institution of the City of Vienna, the location at Hietzinger Kai 131 has truly found a worthy follow-up use,” says a delighted Kevin Töpfer, managing director responsible for real estate management at BUWOG.

Façade greening optimises energy efficiency

A green façade system will be established on a façade area of approximately 350 sqm and also provide a green appearance in winter due to the considerable share of evergreens. Because it will be installed over the entire surface of the façade, the green façade system will ease the burden on the existing climate control in the building in summer and reduce heat loss in winter, thus contributing to an increase in energy efficiency. In addition, the green façade will produce oxygen and bind carbon monoxide, which is particularly important at the busy western entrance, and it will also enhance the building’s sound insulation.